Smoothies are one of my favorite ways to start my morning and “break the fast” because you are loading up on a ton of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals right from the get go. Plus, your digestive system doesn’t have to work as hard to digest your food since it’s blended together! This purple power smoothie has got plant-based protein, resistant starch, healthy fats, some complex carbs, low in sugar, anti-inflammatory properties, and much more!

,When it’s 100°, that means salads for dinner every night! Who is a fan of eating hot meals in hot weather? Certainly, not me. Besides, what I love about salads is that you can throw whatever vegetables you have leftover in the fridge — and boom! — you’ve got a nutritious meal. I admit I may have gone a little crazy with my spiralizer, but it’s ok because it’s faster than chopping, makes salad making much more fun; and once you start, you can’t stop!

In my bowl clockwise, is a salad made of spiralized watermelon radish, carrots, golden beets, cucumber, fennel with roasted organic walnuts and fresh mint on a bed of romaine lettuce.

Watermelon radishes have a slightly peppery taste and are high in vitamin C (not to mention one of my favorite radishes out there). They are also 89% water and have basically negative calories because you burn them off just by chewing!

Carrots have a nice sweetness and are also high in vitamin A, dietary fiber, and beta-carotene; another natural antioxidant. Beta-carotene has long been known to be good for the eyes and is currently being studied for its ability to enhance the immune system.

Golden Beets contain good amounts of fiber, iron, potassium, and folic acid. They also are heart healthy, excellent kidney and body cleansers, high in powerful antioxidants, and lowers blood pressure and cholesterol. Not to mention, they add a nice sweetness to salads.

Cucumbers, like radishes, are rich in two of the most basic elements needed for healthy digestion — water and fiber. They are made up of 95% water, very low in calories and high in fiber; which makes them ideal for weight loss and digestive health.

Fennel is similar to celery with a slight licorice-y flavor, helps strengthen bone health (due to high levels of calcium and magnesium), eliminates bad breath, and is great for digestion. Some of the components of the essential oils in fennel are stimulants which stimulate secretion of digestive and gastric juices while reducing inflammation of the stomach and intestines and facilitating proper absorption of nutrients from the food.

Walnuts are high in healthy monounsaturated fats, improve stamina, and have one of the highest amounts of omega-3 fats of any nut which means they help in promoting brain function and can actually boost your mood! Omega-3 fatty acids coupled with iodine and selenium add to ensuring optimum functioning of the brain.

Mint is a soothing and calming herb that promotes digestion, great for oral health, and has been used since ancient times to soothe the stomach in case of indigestion or inflammation.

Romaine has a mild non-bitter taste, so it’s very versatile and an excellent source of antioxidants like vitamin A/C, manganese, potassium, biotin, vitamin B1, copper, and iron. It also has high fiber and water content, low in calories, and a decent amount of protein!

Not only is this salad overflowing with rainbow veggie noodles but everything is from my local farmer’s market! Yup. Even the walnuts. Whenever I can, I always try to buy organic produce, with the exception of avocados because you don’t eat the skin, and if I can, usually from the local farmers market. Locally grown food, in my experience, has been more nutrient-dense, flavorful, and fresher because it’s picked at their peak ripeness. Also, when you shop at your local farmers market you are benefiting the environment and supporting your local economy!

With that said, by eating a “Rainbow Diet”, you are basically taking mother nature’s multivitamins. Eat the Rainbow, Taste the Rainbow. Right? No. I’m not talking about skittles. This is the real deal.

About TippyToeGirl

Hi everyone! I’m Natasha, and I'm a lover of all things, especially ballet, yoga, traveling, and discovering healthy food/nutrition menu items to fuel my body. I'm a Corps de Ballet member with San Francisco Ballet and dream of becoming a dance Nutritionist one day.